Wearing nurse uniform a tribute to late aunt

LIBBY Perkins filled in for her late aunt Beatrice Priestley at yesterday’s World War 1
commemoration at Ulverstone. Her aunt served on the Western Front in Bologne, France, as a
nurse, but on her return she wasn’t allowed to march with the boys on Anzac Day. ‘‘Today
was about giving her her dues,’’ Ms Perkins said. Picture: Grant Wells.

LIBBY Perkins filled in for her late aunt Beatrice Priestley for the day yesterday.

Ms Perkins, of Gunns Plains, took part in the World War I centenary commemoration at Ulverstone yesterday in a home-made World War I era nurse's uniform.

"My aunt, Sister Beatrice Priestley, served on the Western Front in Bologne, France as a nurse," she said.

"When Beatrice came back from France she wasn't allowed to march with the boys on Anzac Day, which was quite a travesty.

"When Beatrice came back from France she wasn't allowed to march with the boys on Anzac Day, which was quite a travesty."

Libby Perkins

"Today was about giving her her dues."

Sister Priestley's brothers Vivian and Victor also served in World War I, and Ms Perkins said yesterday's service had extra significance for her.

"Over the next four years it's very important to pay our respects to our wonderful soldiers and nurses who served our country," she said.

Ms Perkins said she searched far and wide to find all the pins and badges to make the nurse's uniform.

'I made every bit of the uniform and researched it thoroughly to make sure it was all right," she said.